1 Corinthians 1:10

Commentary on 1 Corinthians 1:10

The Text

1 Corinthians 1:10 (KJV):
“Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.”

1. Setting the Scene: The Context of 1 Corinthians 1[i]

Paul writes to a young church in Corinth that is gifted, energetic, and deeply troubled. The opening chapter reveals a community marked by spiritual richness but fractured by pride, rivalry, and confusion.

Earlier in the chapter, Paul reminds them of their identity in Christ:

1 Corinthians 1:2 (KJV):
“Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints…”

He then grounds them in the grace they have received:

1 Corinthians 1:4 (KJV):
“I thank my God always on your behalf, for the grace of God which is given you by Jesus Christ.”

Yet this grace has not produced unity. Reports have reached Paul that the church is splintering into factions:

1 Corinthians 1:11–12 (KJV):
“For it hath been declared unto me of you, my brethren, by them which are of the house of Chloe, that there are contentions among you. Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ.”

Into this situation, Paul speaks the urgent plea of verse 10.

2. Exegetical Insights from 1 Corinthians 1:10

“Now I beseech you, brethren…”

Paul does not command harshly. He appeals as a brother. His tone is pastoral, relational, and earnest. He is not asserting apostolic authority to crush dissent but urging them as family.

“…by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ…”

This is the weightiest appeal possible. The unity Paul seeks is not based on personality, preference, or cultural similarity. It is grounded in the lordship of Jesus Christ.
To divide the church is to dishonour the name that saved them.

“…that ye all speak the same thing…”

This does not mean uniformity of personality or gifting. It means a shared confession of the gospel.
In the Christian tradition, unity is rooted in truth. The church speaks the same thing when it proclaims the same Christ, the same cross, the same grace.

“…and that there be no divisions among you…”

The Greek word for “divisions” is schismata—tears or rips in fabric.
Paul sees the church as a garment woven by Christ. Division is not a minor irritation; it is a tearing of what Christ has stitched together.

“…but that ye be perfectly joined together…”

The phrase means “mended,” like a fisherman repairing nets.
Unity is not accidental. It requires intentional repair, humility, and patience.

“…in the same mind and in the same judgment.”

Paul calls for unity in both attitude and conviction.
This is not a shallow agreement. It is a shared gospel worldview shaped by the cross:

1 Corinthians 1:18 (KJV):
“For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.”

The cross is the great leveller. It destroys pride, boasting, and factionalism.

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3. Theological Themes

1. The Lordship of Christ as the Foundation of Unity

Unity is not built on human leaders. Paul rejects the idea that the church belongs to Paul, Apollos, or Cephas:

1 Corinthians 1:13 (KJV):
“Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptised in the name of Paul?”

Christ alone is the head of the church.

2. The Cross as the Antidote to Division

The Corinthians were dividing along lines of eloquence, gifting, and personality. Paul responds by preaching the foolishness of the cross.
The cross humbles the proud and unites the broken.

3. Grace Produces Humility, Not Rivalry

Paul begins the chapter by reminding them of grace.
Grace received should become grace extended.

4. Unity Is Both a Gift and a Calling

Christ has already united believers to himself.
Believers must now live out that unity with one another.

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4. Application to Modern Christian Living

1. Reject Personality-Driven Christianity

Modern churches can fall into the same traps as Corinth:
• celebrity pastors
• tribalism around theological camps
• preference-driven loyalties

Paul’s question still stands: “Is Christ divided?”

2. Pursue Unity Through Humility

Unity does not mean avoiding hard conversations. It means approaching them with gentleness, patience, and a willingness to listen.

3. Let the Cross Shape Your Relationships

When the cross is central, pride dies.
When pride dies, unity grows.

4. Speak the Same Thing: Hold Fast to the Gospel

Unity is not achieved by watering down truth.
It is achieved by holding tightly to the truth of Christ crucified.

5. Practise the Work of Mending

Relationships tear. Churches fracture.
Paul calls believers to the hard work of repair—confession, forgiveness, reconciliation.

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5. Meditation Guide

Reflect

Read 1 Corinthians 1 slowly. Ask:
• Where am I tempted to align myself with personalities rather than Christ?
• Where have I contributed to division through pride or preference?
• How does the cross reshape my attitude toward others?

Pray

“Lord Jesus Christ, unite my heart to yours. Heal divisions in my relationships and in my church. Make me a person who mends rather than tears.”

Act

• Seek reconciliation where needed.
• Speak well of other believers and churches.
• Keep the gospel central in your conversations and decisions.

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[i] 1 Corinthians 1

King James Version

1 Paul called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God, and Sosthenes our brother,

2 Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both their’s and our’s:

3 Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

4 I thank my God always on your behalf, for the grace of God which is given you by Jesus Christ;

5 That in every thing ye are enriched by him, in all utterance, and in all knowledge;

6 Even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you:

7 So that ye come behind in no gift; waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ:

8 Who shall also confirm you unto the end, that ye may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.

9 God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord.

10 Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.

11 For it hath been declared unto me of you, my brethren, by them which are of the house of Chloe, that there are contentions among you.

12 Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ.

13 Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul?

14 I thank God that I baptized none of you, but Crispus and Gaius;

15 Lest any should say that I had baptized in mine own name.

16 And I baptized also the household of Stephanas: besides, I know not whether I baptized any other.

17 For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect.

18 For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.

19 For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.

20 Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?

21 For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.

22 For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom:

23 But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness;

24 But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.

25 Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men.

26 For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called:

27 But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;

28 And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are:

29 That no flesh should glory in his presence.

30 But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:

31 That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.